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Market research firm Strategy Analytics today reported on the release of its new research report covering "connected TV players" such as the current Apple TV and Roku boxes. According to the report, Apple is predicted to reach sales of four million Apple TV units for 2011, leading the way in a rapidly-growing market with a 32% share.
“Apple is leading this nascent market, which it still considers a ‘hobby’.” says Jia Wu, Senior Analyst at the Connected Home Devices (CHD) service. “As Apple prepares for its expected launch of smart TVs in 2012, rival platforms must accelerate their development plans to keep Apple from running away with the connected TV business, as it has done in smartphones and digital music.”
The report also notes that Apple TV users tend to spend more money on TV shows and movies than users of other set-top connected TV players, with 30% of Apple TV owners reported have rented content compared to 20% of owners of other devices.
Overall, Strategy Analytics estimates that the market for connected TV players has doubled this year, reaching almost 12 million units on the momentum of considerably lower pricing compared to previous years. The current Apple TV debuted in September 2010 priced at just $99, substantially cheaper than the $229 price tag on the original hard drive-based Apple TV.
Apple has long considered the Apple TV to be a "hobby", but rumors are increasingly pointing to the debut of a connected television set from Apple as soon as late next year. Such a device would presumably integrate many of the aspects of the current Apple TV box such as iTunes Store access and streaming from iOS devices directly into the television set. Apple is also said to have been working on revolutionary Siri-powered voice input for interacting with the television.
Top Rated Comments
Love Apple TV 2, got 3 of them. Almost a no-brainer for any household with Apple devices and Netflix account.
This is what I use my PS3 for. Which means my PS3 is like an Apple TV, but also plays Blu Ray, DVD's, and games.
All these analysts are full of BS, throwing out marketshare %'s nobody knows how they quantified. For an Apple TV to be successful, they need to make a huge power play that changes the whole industry like they did with music. This is gonna be the difference between an Apple TV and a regular hybrid TV. I want to know what that power play is.
What market is this when Microsoft has millions more Xbox 360s already in people's homes? I'm not arguing that the Apple TV won't continue to increase in sales (I have one), but such numbers are complete BS. People are going to buy/rent content either on their 360 or their Apple TV, but not both (in significant numbers)
My XBox 360 is loud and takes a long time to start up. I won't leave it running all the time because I'm on my third one and I'm afraid it will break again.
The Apple TV is quiet, uses hardly any electricity and is always ready to go.
Had some non Techie girls over this weekend. The go "Wait how do you have Youtube on your TV?!". They proceeded to watch 20 videos and have a living room dance party.
Best 100 bucks I've spent this year by far.
What market is this when Microsoft has millions more Xbox 360s already in people's homes? I'm not arguing that the Apple TV won't continue to increase in sales (I have one), but such numbers are complete BS. People are going to buy/rent content either on their 360 or their Apple TV, but not both (in significant numbers)
Mostly kids own Xbox 360 and don't rent movies. Mom & Dad own Apple TV and rent movies. Mom & Dad do not turn on or want to turn on Xbox.